Mariners Reportedly Seen as Favored Eugenio Suarez Trade Landing Spot by MLB Execs

As the Seattle Mariners look for an edge in the tight wild card race in the American League, a reunion with Eugenio Suárez remains a possibility leading up to Thursday's trade deadline.

Per ESPN's Buster Olney, some rival executives view the Mariners as the favorites to acquire Suárez from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com later reported the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies are also seen as "primary teams" in the pursuit of Suarez alongside the Mariners.

Seattle and Arizona have already struck a deal prior to the deadline, with first baseman Josh Naylor being dealt to the Mariners on July 25.

In the final days before the deadline, rumors are running rampant about what teams are looking to do and how much it will cost to acquire players.

MLB.com's Daniel Kramer noted the D-Backs have been seeking an "astronomical" return for Suárez.

As for what "astronomical" means, MLB insider Francys Romero reported on Sunday that talks between the Diamondbacks and New York Yankees stalled because Arizona wanted one player already in the big leagues, a player in the upper levels of the minors and "at least" one prospect in the low minors.

That's an extreme price to pay for any player, let alone one who is set to become a free agent at the end of this season. The Mariners are in great shape as far as young talent they have to deal if they wanted to get aggressive.

Seattle has eight of the top 70 prospects in baseball, per MLB.com. The Diamondbacks, on the other hand, only have three in the top 100. Suárez is the best trade asset they have who is likely to be moved, so they are presumably viewing this as an opportunity to replenish their young, cost-controlled talent.

Suárez is the best power bat on the market. The 34-year-old is hitting .248/.321/.577 with 36 homers in 105 games. He previously played for the Mariners for two seasons from 2022 to '23, posting a .234/.327/.423 slash line in 312 games.

The Mariners enter play on Wednesday with a 57-51 record and one game up on the Texas Rangers for the final wild card spot in the AL. They are also only four games behind the Houston Astros for the top spot in the AL West.